Kuala Lumpur & Legoland Malaysia Family Holiday, 5 Nights

A private car meets the family at KLIA for the hour into the city, and the afternoon is kept free so that children can sleep off the flight. In the early evening, KLCC Park beneath the Petronas Towers is the easy outing: a large free paddling pool and playground, shaded paths around the lake and a fountain show after dark. The mall under the towers has a food court with Indian and plenty of child-friendly options.

A private morning tour sized for children: photographs at the gates of Istana Negara, where the guards in ceremonial dress stand at attention, the National Monument to the soldiers of the Emergency and the open lawn of Merdeka Square, with its tall flagpole. The high point is a timed visit to the Petronas Towers: the double-decker skybridge on the 41st and 42nd floors, and the observation deck near the top. The towers are closed on Mondays and slots sell out, so we book as early as possible. The afternoon is free.

A short stop at Batu Caves on the way out of town, for photographs at the foot of the huge golden statue and the rainbow steps, where cheeky macaques will steal snacks from small hands. Then up into the hills and a long cable-car ride over the treetops to Genting Highlands, cool at about 1,800 metres. Children usually love the indoor theme park at the top; it is ticketed separately and worth booking ahead. Back to the city by early evening.

After breakfast, a private drive south down the North–South Expressway to Johor Bahru, the city at the tip of the peninsula facing Singapore across a narrow strait. It takes around four hours, with plenty of well-kept rest stops for food and breaks. Arrival is in the afternoon, time to rest before Legoland day. If energy allows, the Sri Rajakaliamman temple in the city, its walls covered in coloured glass mosaic, is a short drive from most hotels.

Legoland Malaysia opened in 2012 as the first Legoland in Asia, and the theme park ticket covers rides, shows and play areas across themed zones. Miniland comes first for many families: Asian cities and landmarks, including Kuala Lumpur's own Petronas Towers, rebuilt in miniature from millions of bricks. Younger children love the driving school, where they steer electric cars around a small town and leave with a licence. Many rides have height limits and there is little shade, so hats and water are essential.

Breakfast and checkout, then a private transfer to Senai International Airport, which serves Johor Bahru and is usually under an hour away. Flights to India from Senai connect through Kuala Lumpur or another hub, so we plan the timings with your tickets; flying home from Singapore's Changi instead is also possible, with a border crossing by road.